Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller is staying near house after the Lakeland native spent the previous six years in Gainesville with the Gators.
The Jacksonville Jaguars chosen Miller No. 121 total in the course of the NFL draft’s fourth spherical, permitting the 24-year-old to play earlier than a fan base properly acquainted with his hard-hitting model, bodily toughness and manufacturing at UF.
“It feels good … being in my backyard,” he mentioned. “It ain’t bad, definitely excited.”
Miller additionally was relieved.
December surgical procedure to restore a fracture in his proper foot saved him out of the Senior Bowl, the NFL Scouting Combine and Florida’s Pro Day.
Because he was unable to undergo the draft course of, Miller didn’t count on to listen to his title known as so early. Some pundits predicted he could be an undrafted free agent.
“I was surprised a little bit, knowing I didn’t do anything,” he mentioned. “When they called me, they told me they skipped up some picks to get me. I didn’t know where I was going to go.”
Miller fractured his proper foot Sept. 10 in the course of the second half in opposition to Kentucky. After sitting out every week later in opposition to USF, he performed the remainder of the season with the harm.
“I was leaving it all out there on the field,” he mentioned.
Miller ended the season with 74 tackles, 8.5 for loss. During an Oct. 8 homecoming win in opposition to Missouri, he compiled 11 tackles, 10 of them solo stops, and had a quarterback hurry on fourth right down to seal the Gators’ 24-17 win.
Miller’s completed his profession with 240 tackles, a stage of manufacturing and enjoying model the Jags didn’t wish to go up.
“They like my playing type — really physical, runs to the ball,” he mentioned.
The 6-foot, 232-pound Miller will open his profession as a back-up and special-teams contributor. The Jags drafted inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and Chad Muma, believing the duo is the longer term on the place. But Miller will obtain the chance to compete and is prepared to take action after docs lately cleared him.
“Really pretty much healed up,” he mentioned. “I’ve been running, cutting, I feel good.”
The good vibes continued for the Gators at decide No. 150 when the Buffalo Bills chosen receiver Justin Shorter. He will be part of Torrence and 2021 Florida teammate Kaiir Elam, the Bills’ first-round decide in 2022.
Shorter was the nation’s top-ranked huge receiver recruit in 2018 when he signed with Penn State. But the 23-year-old, who transferred to UF in 2020, was the 18th participant at his place chosen within the draft, which motivates him.
“I literally watched every single pick, saw who went before for me and that was just fueling my fire,” he mentioned.
The imposing 6-foot-4, 229-pound Shorter mentioned he realized the best way to capitalize on his dimension and 4.55-second pace within the 40-yard sprint to generate massive performs, together with 7 catches of greater than 25 yards in 2022. He goals to offer one other weapon for Bills’ Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen.
“When I get my opportunity, I’m definitely going to tear this league up,” Shorter mentioned. “I’ve been working for a long time and it’s going to pay off.”
Defender Amari Burney’s versatility paid off with a sixth-round choice by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 203rd decide.
The 6-foot-2, 233-pound Tampa native arrived in 2019 as a security and tried a number of spots earlier than settling at inside linebacker. Burney’s 4.51 pace within the 40 and place flexibility earned him a nod over former UF defensive backs Trey Dean and Rashad Torrence II and edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr. Cox’s dismissal in late October might have scared off groups.
Offensive deal with Richard Gouraige instantly caught on with the Bills as an undrafted free agent, becoming a member of Torrence, Shorter and Elam. The 6-foot-5, 306-pound began 42 video games, together with 25 the previous two seasons at left deal with.
Instinctive, sturdy and sound however not overly bodily, Gouraige might find yourself inside due to he lacks the size of most NFL tackles.
The Gators ended the draft with six gamers chosen, twice as many as 2022 and greater than 2019 and 2018, when 5 UF gamers have been drafted. Eight UF gamers went in 2021 and 7 in 2020.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at [email protected] or comply with him on Twitter at @osgators.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com